Canvasback Adoption Days making a splash

Nine-year-old Lexi Lavallee of Winnipeg Beach visits with one of the horses at Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab’s pen at Canvasback Adoptions Days on Sept. 8. See more photos on page 25.Photo by Twyla Siple, Interlake Spectator

“We started this to raise money for all the local shelters so they can provide needed resources for their (projects),” Canvasback’s owner, Colleen Scramstad told The Interlake Spectator on Sept. 8. “Everything that is here is donated to them. We usually raise over $12,000 for them. There’s 17 shelters, so if you need a puppy I am sure you will find one here.”

The event boasted family fun, and fundraising efforts in support of numerous local animal rescues, according to their Facebook event page. Featuring the high-flying fun of DockDogs, attendees were welcome to watch dock diving dogs of all sizes make a splash in three different disciplines including Big Air, Speed Retrieve, and Extreme Vertical. Nail trims were offered at $10and free goodies were being given away by the various organizations.

Courtney Fielding of Selkirk competed with her during two-year-old Mastiff, Russel, during the DockDogs competition on Sept. 8.Photo by Twyla Siple, Interlake Spectator

The feature attraction, of course, was Adoption Avenue. Attendees were invited to meet with dozens of adorable adoptable animals including dogs, cats, horses, and ponies.

Kimberly Dawn Lyons of Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab told The Interlake Spectator while she was walking one her rescues, a three-year-old pony named Crumpet, that she and her team appreciate the people who run Canvasback.

“They go so far out of their way to do stuff like this for the rescues,” Lyons explained. “For the people who can’t have pets, or don’t get to see things like horses up close, I think this is a great opportunity for them to come and interact with them.”

Kimberly Dawn Lyons and Corinne Nykorak of of Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab in Stonewall stands with Crumpet the pony and nine-year-old Quinn Lamoureux of Oakbank on Sept. 9.Photo by Twyla Siple, Interlake Spectator

Nine-year-old Quinn Lamoureux of Oakbank sits with her dog, Little, in front of the horses at Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehabâs pen at Canvasback Adoptions Days on Sept. 8.Photo by Twyla Siple, Interlake Spectator

Nine-year-old Quinn Lamoureux of Oak Bank said her favourite part of the event was the horses. “I two horses and a pony at home,” she said.

Her mother, Linda, told The Interlake Spectator how their family has many adoption animals including their pony, dogs, goats and cats. “We foster for Manitoba Great Pyrannees,” Linda explained. “But we purchased the horses.”

A volunteer and rescue-dog-owner Christine Quinlan of Winnipeg said that she picked up her mixed Shepherd Husky, McKenna, from Canvasback in 2014.

“I came to this event four years ago, and she was in one of the pens at the Manitoba Shepherd Rescue,” Quinlan explained. “It was love at first sight. I said to my husband, I think I found a dog for us.”

For more information, visit canvasbackpets.com or visit their Facebook Page Canvasback Pet Supplies.